Textiles certainly are common in healthcare facilities, spotlighting them as important pieces in the quest for efficient infection control. We must do all we can to be certain they don’t pose a risk as a vehicle for the transmission of pathogens. Hospital linens, privacy curtains and staff attire all must be considered when developing and infection control strategy in a facility. Of particular interest is the approach to laundering these textiles. Are they outsourced? Are they done in house? Are they done by the staff themselves? Our links today look at all of these possibilities and the potential shortcomings of each strategy. We even take a look at methods of cleaning washing machines that might be harboring bacteria. The material in the links below provides an excellent overview of the materials that we must make certain won’t pose a risk to staff or patients. Controversies in hospital infection prevention: Pondering vexing issues in infection prevention and control Hospital Textiles, Are They a Possible Vehicle for Healthcare-Associated Infections? The Infection Risks Associated with Clothing and Household Linens in Home and Everyday Life Settings, and the Role of Laundry [caption id="attachment_43132" align="alignright" width="482"] xavierarnau/iStock[/caption] UPMC finds mold at outsourced laundry facility; presents possible link to 5 patient deaths Your washing machine may be harbouring bacteria — here’s how to clean it

The present stance of the CDC rejects the notion that Norovirus can be transmitted through the air. Many microbiologists will tell you otherwise. When you consider the virus is responsible for 200,000 deaths annually, and that the global financial burden is estimated at a staggering $60 billion, it is important that we do all we can to determine all modes of transmission. Plenty of studies, some of which you will see in the links below, suggest that developing methods to treat air and limit transmission can help prevent the spread of this virus, which is thought to infect people five times in their lives. Efforts to understand airborne transmission, developing approaches and technologies to mitigate the spread, are crucial. It costs too many lives and too much money to ignore. Recognizing the threat of airborne transmission – both before and after a potential vaccine is developed – is a critical step toward controlling better the spread of Norovirus. [caption id="attachment_21831" align="alignright" width="300"] Credit: CDC[/caption] • Vomiting linked to airborne norovirus, hospital outbreaks • Norovirus may spread by airborne route — are current precautions enough to protect HCWs? • Outbreaks cause staff illness, costly furloughs • The Global Burden of Norovirus & Prospects for Vaccine Development

Anti-vaccination groups have been around since the first vaccination programs were developed. Misleading and downright erroneous information has fueled resistance to vaccinations through the years. A British doctor in 1998 published a research paper investigating the alleged relationship between vaccinations and autism and bowel disease among those inoculated. The paper was discredited and shown to be fraudulent in 2011, but the damage was done. The non-existent connections are still cited even today as evidence vaccines are not safe. While like most everything, vaccination results aren’t perfect. But objective scientific data points overwhelmingly to the safety and efficacy of vaccines to prevent widespread outbreaks of controllable diseases such as measles, smallpox, tetanus, polio, typhoid, influenza, whooping cough and on and on. Herd immunity requires vaccine interventions to evolve, and the overall health of our population depends on them. To eschew vaccines is irresponsible and puts entire population at risk needlessly. Below are links to a few studies and research efforts that examine the efficacy of vaccinations and the risks of failing to inoculate. Measles does long-term damage to immune system, studies show Anti-Vaccine Decision-Making and Measles Resurgence in the United States The anti-vaccination movement Why Measles Is So Contagious and How to Protect Yourself Measles, autism and vaccination in the Minnesota Somali community

Infection Control Archives - Healthier Environment Living Program

Time to take an air sample

Time to take an air sample

By James Sweeney|2021-01-17T16:34:18+00:00January 5th, 2021|

Particles .3 microns in size and smaller can remain in the air for extended periods of time. If you put to use a laser particle counter inside your [...]

Textiles and Fomites

Textiles and Fomites

By James Sweeney|2021-01-15T08:53:22+00:00December 29th, 2020|

Textiles certainly are common in healthcare facilities, spotlighting them as important pieces in the quest for efficient infection control. We must do all we can to be certain [...]

Hand Hygiene is a Must

Hand Hygiene is a Must

By James Sweeney|2020-12-20T13:25:58+00:00December 20th, 2020|

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of any infection control program. It is absolutely critical. Mountains of evidence through the years points to the overwhelming need to prioritize hand [...]

MRSA in the Environment

MRSA in the Environment

By James Sweeney|2020-12-07T15:28:56+00:00December 7th, 2020|

MRSA is a significant problem in the community and in hospitals. This problem has significant connections between Nursing homes and hospitals as well as with other bacteria. We [...]

Infection and Electronics

Infection and Electronics

By James Sweeney|2020-12-03T00:02:34+00:00December 2nd, 2020|

Germs notoriously do not discriminate. They hitch rides any way they can. And they can make a home quickly on virtually any surface, any piece of equipment. We [...]

Humans leave a lot of biology when they leave a room

Humans leave a lot of biology when they leave a room

By James Sweeney|2020-11-26T01:05:20+00:00November 26th, 2020|

Hand washing and hand sanitizing are among the easiest behaviors to employ in an effort to avoid being affected by and spreading germs that can cause disease. On [...]

Floors and cross contamination

Floors and cross contamination

By James Sweeney|2020-11-16T16:51:59+00:00November 16th, 2020|

Most look around but rarely down when they consider possible homes for germs. It’s probably best to rethink that. Hospital floors are particularly vulnerable to the gathering of [...]

Norovirus

Norovirus

By James Sweeney|2020-11-16T16:29:06+00:00November 16th, 2020|

The present stance of the CDC rejects the notion that Norovirus can be transmitted through the air. Many microbiologists will tell you otherwise. When you consider the virus [...]

Transmission of Acinetobacter

Transmission of Acinetobacter

By James Sweeney|2020-11-02T18:27:00+00:00November 2nd, 2020|

Not all that long ago, our hands were considered to be the primary vehicles for the spread of infection. And while sanitary practices like washing our hands remain [...]

Hands, Air and Surfaces all impact the spread of disease

Hands, Air and Surfaces all impact the spread of disease

By James Sweeney|2020-10-26T21:48:17+00:00October 26th, 2020|

Hand washing and hand sanitizing are among the easiest behaviors to employ in an effort to avoid being affected by and spreading germs that can cause disease. On [...]

Airborne Transmission

Airborne Transmission

By James Sweeney|2020-10-18T18:32:54+00:00October 18th, 2020|

Most folks are aware of the perils of surface contamination as it relates to the transmission of infectious diseases. Contaminated hands touching door knobs, remote controls, furniture and [...]

Vaccines Save Lives

Vaccines Save Lives

By James Sweeney|2020-10-18T18:18:01+00:00October 18th, 2020|

Anti-vaccination groups have been around since the first vaccination programs were developed. Misleading and downright erroneous information has fueled resistance to vaccinations through the years. A British doctor [...]